ROCKFORD - Cold weather makes for good business in the auto repair industry.

Mechanics and tow companies are raking in thousands of dollars and towing more than 100 cars daily to keep up with the need of stranded drivers. Experts say that any vehicle part in questionable shape is likely to break in extreme temperatures.

"This time of year is when (the cold weather damages) all of the mediocre batteries that are still hanging in there. Even some good batteries will die," said DJ Wilson, co-owner of Coachman's CCR Bodyshop & Towing, 1232 Shappert Drive in Machesney Park. "We do have to have all hands on deck when the weather gets like this."

The temperatures dipped into the double-digits below zero this week, missing Tuesday's record low in Rockford of minus 22 by 4 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The mercury is expected to climb to 14 degrees at noon today but feel like zero with the wind chill.

The severe weather has led to more cars needing a tow.

On average, Coachman's tows 75 to 115 cars a day in winter. By 4 p.m. Monday, the company had already towed 107.

Wilson said Coachman crews have found cars stranded in alleys and in the middle of parking lots because the vehicles cannot move through the sheets of ice and snow. Car parts are so frozen that they cannot operate properly.

"When the battery is frozen, it can't make the chemical reaction needed to make electricity and make the car start," he said.

Getting a vehicle to the shop is only half the battle.

Mark Butitta, owner of Mark's Auto Service, 2429 S. Alpine Road in Rockford, said cars are coming to his business in a block of ice. His crew has had to keep vehicles in the garage overnight to warm up before mechanics can begin repairs.

Vehicles that have not had parts replaced, fluids checked or regular oil changes are at risk of breaking. Any piece of equipment that was in mediocre condition may not have been able to sustain the harsh conditions.

"We are going through batteries like popcorn. Our main parts supplier is here every half-hour," Butitta said.

This winter has helped his company, which has been open since 1949, grow from a just below $600,000 business to a $1.1 million business between 2012 and 2013.

"We're probably going to have the best month in history."

Drivers aiming to prevent their vehicles from getting stuck or needing serious repair should have their cars inspected in the fall.

Bob Reed, owner of Reed's Auto Repair, 50 E. Monterey St. in Freeport, said a mechanic should look under the hood to determine whether the parts are in good enough shape to handle a harsh winter. A marginal battery may be work just fine in higher temperatures but could run out of juice when they drop.

Page 2 of 2 - When it does get cold, motorists should let their cars warm up for a few minutes before driving and do not drive as fast as if it were summer, Reed said. And the vehicle will make odd noises in the cold.

"You've got a piece of machinery that isn't going to be all the way warmed up. Just be nice to it."